[Preechr]

Until the IMs came out LAST WEEK, all Hastert had to move on was the e-mails, which were of decidedly less creepy character. As soon as the IMs came out LAST WEEK, Foley took off and the Republicans started taking it seriously. There's not even any way to prove the IMs weren't forged altogether, much less accurate or in context. The only thing that actually stands so far as real proof that Foley did anything at all wrong is his resignation, in fact. No proof means this is a scandal ripe for spinning, and it can spin much more easily in favor of the Republicans than it could help the Democrats. Any hit the Rs are taking in the polls due to this will be easily overcome if they rally behind some new effort to "think of the children" or something... If America smells a coverup, the Republicans are doing a fine job of pinning that on the Democrats while taking steps to protect pages in the future. Once again, the Dems are portrayed as living in the past and doing nothing to make the future better. America is a more hopeful country than that.